Intracranial Atherosclerosis: The Natural History and Management Strategies

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) represents a major cause of stroke and transient ischemic attacks. The prevalence and natural course of ICAD are closely related to race and ethnicity. The best treatment for ICAD is a crucial issue; data from recent trials indicate that aggressive medical management and life style modifications are better than endovascular treatments for prevention of recurrent stroke in high-risk patients with ICAD. Endovascular treatment is still an option for subgroup of patients who are not responded to optimal medical therapy.